Calendar of Events

By Oscar Wilde
Director: John Baldwin

The most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies, The Importance of Being Earnest is the story of two bachelors, John “Jack” Worthing and Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. The elaborate plot ridicules Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved, and indeed bizarre, characters to be found on the modern stage. Presented in a reader’s theater format, actors don’t memorize scripts but read them to the audience while using their voices and upper bodies to convey the roles they are playing.

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild adult situations

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Arts Council of Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville.

By Oscar Wilde

Director: John Baldwin

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild adult situations

The most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies, The Importance of Being Earnest is the story of two bachelors, John “Jack” Worthing and Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. The elaborate plot ridicules Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved, and indeed bizarre, characters to be found on the modern stage. Presented in a reader’s theater format, actors don’t memorize scripts but read them to the audience while using their voices and upper bodies to convey the roles they are playing.

By Oscar Wilde
Director: John Baldwin

The most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies, The Importance of Being Earnest is the story of two bachelors, John “Jack” Worthing and Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. The elaborate plot ridicules Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved, and indeed bizarre, characters to be found on the modern stage. Presented in a reader’s theater format, actors don’t memorize scripts but read them to the audience while using their voices and upper bodies to convey the roles they are playing.

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild adult situations

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Arts Council of Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville

By Oscar Wilde

Director: John Baldwin

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild adult situations

The most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies, The Importance of Being Earnest is the story of two bachelors, John “Jack” Worthing and Algernon “Algy” Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. The elaborate plot ridicules Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved, and indeed bizarre, characters to be found on the modern stage. Presented in a reader’s theater format, actors don’t memorize scripts but read them to the audience while using their voices and upper bodies to convey the roles they are playing.

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

BAILEN

He earned his stripes on Broadway… now the ghost-with-the-most is coming to Greenville.

It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!

He earned his stripes on Broadway… now the ghost-with-the-most is coming to Greenville.

It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!

The first show of our 2023 Season! The Montford Park Players, North Carolina’s longest running Shakespeare theatre is pleased to announce auditions for the first show of our 51st Season – “Wendy and Peter”, a Peter Pan story, written and directed by Skyler Goff. Audition Dates: YOUTH ONLY March 5th 3-6pm March 6th 5:30-8:30pm (If needed) March 7th 5:30-8:30pm (CALLBACKS) ADULTS ONLY March 8th 5:30-8:30pm March 9th 5:30-8:30pm(If needed) CALLBACKS (ADULTS and CAST YOUTH) March 10th  5:30-8:30pm ROLES FOR YOUTH (Ages 8-18) WENDY: Age: 11-18 (Role will require singing, dancing, jumping and combat. SWING NEEDED) PETER PAN: Age: 11-18(Role will require jumping dancing and combat.SWING NEEDED) JOHN: Age: 10-16 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat.Potential SWING NEEDED) MICHAEL: Age: 8-13(Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) TOOTLES: Age: 8-13 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) NIBS: Age: 8-15 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) SLIGHTLY: Age: 8-16(Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) TWIN 1: Age: 8-15 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) TWIN 2: Age: 8-15 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) CURLY: Age: 8-15 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) TIGER LILY: Age: 11-18 (Role will require jumping, dancing, and combat) ROLES FOR ADULTS (Ages 18+) NURSE WENDY: Age: 25-36(Role will require singing and running) MR. DARLING: Age: 30-55(Based on casting, Hook/Panther Protea requirements apply) MRS. DARLING: Age: 30-55(Based on casting, Hook/Panther Protea requirements apply) NANA: Age: 18-60+ (Role will require use of puppet. NO DIALOGUE) TINKER BELL: Age: 18-55 (Role will require use of puppet, dancing, jumping and combat.NO DIALOGUE) HOOK: Age: 30-55 (Role will require singing, dancing,and combat. SWING NEEDED) SMEE: Age: 18-60+(Role will require singing, dancing,and combat) STARKEY: Age: 18-60+ (Role will require singing, dancing,and combat) CECCO: Age: 18-60+(Role will require singing, dancing,and combat) JUKES: Age: 18-60+ (Role will require singing, dancing,and combat) FLINT: Age: 18-60+ (Role will require singing, dancing,and combat) COOKSON: Age: 18-60+ (Role will require singing, dancing,and combat) PANTHER PROTEA: Age: 30-55 (Role will require dancing, percussion,  and combat) Various Druids:Age: 18-60+ (Role will require dancing,percussion, and combat) Mermaids: Age: 18-60+ (Role may require use of puppet and singing.) NOTE: ALL ACTORS should prepare a monologue on any theme, memorized, and no longer then one minute. NOTE: All actors must fill out the following Google Forms, located HERE : MPP 2023 Season Audition Form (the role of swings is explained in the Audition Form) Wendy & Peter Audition Signups NOTE: This 2023 Season Audition Form will be used for all our productions this year. Note that this season we will NOT be requiring video audition submissions. Note to Selected Actors and parents: Early Rehearsals will prioritize getting all actors below the age of 18 out no later than 8pm without parent/guardian consent. Adults may be asked to arrive later and leave no later than 9:30pm. We hope you’ll join us for the beginning of a spectacular season of theatre! Skyler Goff, Playwright and Director John Russell, Executive Director

Every Sunday evening Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country

Kelly Collette.

She has been a finalist on CMT’s Next Big Comic, and tours clubs and colleges throughout the country. Her jokes have been featured on Pandora and Sirius XM, and in a segment for NPR.

She has performed at the prestigious Limestone Comedy Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, Gilda’s Laughfest and The Lucielle Ball Comedy Festival. She is featured on the CD from Lucyfest called “Live From Jamestown”. She headlined the 2019 Super Dope Comedy Festival.

Kelly toured with The Nobodies of Comedy, a national theatre tour of comedians you should know. She will be performing at Gilda’s Laugh Fest in 2019 as part of the selected “Best of The Midwest” showcase.

Kelly is also a featured emcee and storyteller. She has emceed for the Cincinnati Reds and has been a storyteller for “Cincy Storytellers” where you can hear her story on Soundcloud. She also produces a monthly standup storytelling show called “Truth Serum”.

Kelly’s writing has been published for Bust Magazine. In 2016 she wrote, produced and directed a parody play called “Reservoir Dames”. This all-female adaptation of “Reservoir Dogs” sold out and gained national attention. Her original play “Bloody Mary” (a horror comedy) debuted at the Know Theatre in 2020. She recently partnered with Gorilla Cinema and Pan American Airlines and wrote a script for an immersive 1960s pop up cocktail experience that is traveling the country.

Kelly spoke at the 2020 Ohio Women’s March and was the keynote speaker for Empower Her, a women empowerment event at Cleveland State University.

She was just named Cincinnati’s Best Local Comedian by CityBeat/Cincinnati Magazine.

Featuring TBA

ages 21+

doors at 6pm, show at 6:30pm

He earned his stripes on Broadway… now the ghost-with-the-most is coming to Greenville.

It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!

What: Asheville’s Premier Standup Feature & Open Mic comedy
When: Sunday, March 5, 6:30pm (Come early to get your food and drinks!)
Where: Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company Theatre 2
675 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville (onsite parking) http://www.ashevillebrewing.com/
Tickets: $14 at door or https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/movies/
Comedy open mic. [signup at the door to get 3-5m. Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Featuring Hilliary Begley, Julia Macias & Becca Steinhoff. Contact Michele for more info at [email protected]

• 7PM DOOR / 8PM SHOW
• ALL AGES
• SEATED SHOW
• LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

ALAN DOYLE

There are few artists capable of appealing to music fans of all stripes, and Alan Doyle is one of them. From the moment he burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with his band Great Big Sea, Canadians fell in love with the pride of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, whose boundless charisma and sense of humour was eclipsed only by his magnetic stage presence.

His influence is now being heard in a new generation of artists as his solo work continues to endear him to roots music fans everywhere. That’s clearly evident on Alan’s new EP Rough Side Out, which finds him collaborating with Canadian country music superstars Dean Brody and Jess Moskaluke, while at the same time offering his own distinctive interpretation of contemporary country.

The seeds for Rough Side Out were planted in 2012 when Brody asked Great Big Sea to record the song “It’s Friday” with him for the Platinum-selling album Dirt. For Alan, that was the moment he realized the door to the country music world was open for he and other east coast Celtic-leaning artists, and since then he’s warmly embraced building closer ties. “My personal journey with the whole thing has been very organic,” Alan says. “When my parents weren’t listening to traditional folk music, they were listening to country music on the radio. So, when I began creating my own musical identity, I was inspired by artists who were able to blend those two worlds.”

The same could be said of the songwriting and production team on Rough Side Out, which includes Alan’s frequent collaborators Donovan Woods and Todd Clark. Both have been bringing a new sensibility to Nashville, in part due to their individual backgrounds within the Canadian independent music scene, making Rough Side Out a natural progression of their past work with Alan.

“The songs on this record all have strong personal meaning to me,” he says. “I believe the best songwriters in any genre are the ones who can look in their own backyard and find something they want to sing about. In a way, that’s why I wanted to call this record Rough Side Out. It’s a Newfoundland expression I love and have used before that refers to clapboard that’s only sanded on one side. Houses in Newfoundland always have the rough side out because it holds the paint better, but it’s also a metaphor for who we are as people. Most of us have the rough side out— in the best possible way, of course.”

Fittingly, the EP’s first single is a reunion with Dean Brody, “We Don’t Wanna Go Home,” a rousing ode to having the perfect night out at your favourite watering hole. It’s a theme that carries on from Rough Side Out’s opening track, “We’re Gonna Love Tonight,” a celebration of freedom that bears all the hallmarks of an Alan Doyle anthem aimed at bringing people together. And what country music excursion would be complete without a classic duet? That was the basic idea behind recording “What the Whiskey Won’t Do” with Jess Moskaluke, a thrilling first-time experience for Alan.

“I’ve always wanted to do this kind of duet,” he says. “I’d written songs like that for other people but never for myself. I had the title in my back pocket for a while, and it was a case of just waiting until the right circumstances came along. And being such a fan of Jess, she was the perfect person to sing it with, mainly because her voice has so much more range than mine!”

The song describes a couple turning to the bottle in order to get over each other and serves as a reminder of the dangers of overindulgence. Along with the EP’s other great ballad, “It’s OK,” “What the Whiskey Won’t Do” underscores Alan’s long-time work in support of addiction and mental health organizations. However, in a purely musical vein, Alan felt a lot of personal satisfaction in capturing a note-perfect cover of John Mellencamp’s “Paper in Fire,” led by his renowned fiddle player Kendel Carson.

“I think in some ways that song really tied the whole project together,” Alan says. “First off, it’s a song I’ve always loved and always wanted to record. But to do it justice, you really need the right players, and the people we had for these sessions could absolutely nail it. The song also shows the change in how country music is perceived. I think if Mellencamp released The Lonesome Jubilee today, it would be regarded as a country album.”

Listening habits have indeed changed dramatically and looking back it’s incredible how the humble group of Newfoundlanders who formed Great Big Sea—with a simple goal of bringing their modern take on the music of their home province to mainstream ears—made such an indelible mark on a national scale. But with songs like “When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down),” “Ordinary Day,” and their cover of R.E.M.’s “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It” now ingrained upon the Canadian consciousness, there can be no disputing Great Big Sea’s status as one of the country’s most influential bands of the past three decades.

Now as we enter a new decade of music, the notion of genres feels even more antiquated. Connecting with as many listeners as possible continues to be Alan’s top priority, and he cheekily admits he tried to stack the deck in his favour with the EP’s final track “I Gotta Go.” It’s a tailor-made concert staple if there ever was, containing the soon-to-be immortal line, “20 songs if they love me, only 18 if they don’t.” At this point, it would be hard to find any Alan Doyle fan who would choose to leave a show until he’s expended every ounce of energy on stage.

Ultimately, Rough Side Out is an Alan Doyle record, which remains a category all its own.

CHRIS TRAPPER

For someone who’s been on the road for more than 150 dates a year for the past 15 years, Chris Trapper appears to have taken his unsolicited break from touring pretty well. In between weekly livestreams on Facebook & Instagram, Trapper also performed in his fan’s backyards across the country all summer long during his “Socially Distanced Backyardapalooza”. To top it all off, Chris entered a studio near his home in Boston, MA to record his new album “Cold Water Waltz”.

“Recording an album in normal times is an interesting experience, so imagine creating new music during a global pandemic. Although I worked intensely with the producers (Brad Young and Jason Meeker) in their respective studios, I could rest assured because as most musicians know; audio engineers social distanced before it was trending.”

The album is a mostly stripped-down affair, with the focus squarely on Trapper’s achingly honest lyrics, honeyed tenor and delicate fingerpicking. The record features Boston legends Duke Levine (Aimee Man, Peter Wolf) & Jim Prescott (G Love & Special Sauce) as well as Matt Beck (Matchbox Twenty, Rod Stewart) & even a co-write with Rob Thomas.

“I wrote most of these songs when I was opening for Rob over the summer of 2019. There were lots of days off then and admittedly, it was easy to get inspired to write new songs after witnessing so many thousands of people psyched to hear his songs every night. Rob & I wrote the song “Clear” together and he is truly the coolest guy to co-write with as he is all about the creative process and never about the ego.”

“Cold Water Waltz” was released on October 16th, 2020 and is available at christrapper.com and on all streaming and download services.

The New York Times has called his work “classic pop perfection.”

“His humble sense of humility is what makes Trapper’s songs so strong… He makes you feel like you are the person he’s singing about.” Popdose

Workshop: Commitment!
Veteran Improviser, Laurie Jones, will lead you in a workshop to help you find more commitment to your characters through groundedness and true emotion. Have you given a 6 when you were trying for a 10? Did leaning into a character feel too phony? Whatever is it that has you interested in going deeper, this workshop is for you!

Bio for Instructor Laurie Jones:

Laurie has performed and trained at Second City Chicago, IO, Impro Theatre, and is an ensemble member of Ripley Improv, Impro Theatre, and Wishbone Theatre Collective.

March 6, 2023
Monday at 7pm

Hey everyone! We hope that everyone is having a happy new year and we are thrilled to get together again!
White Duck Taco (riverside) is such a great, spacious location — its the obvious choice for our meetups.
Considering the cooler temperatures this time of year, we are going to plan to tentatively Meet Up on Tuesday, March 7th.

As always, feel free to bring something to work on if that’s what makes you comfy. This is a low stress, mingle as you please, kind of meet up. Share you recent works, exchange social media handles with others, get the word out about upcoming events or classes, and most importantly, make friends!!! We are so proud of the welcoming community we’ve created and want to do everything we can to maintain that energy.

Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant

Come and join us for our March Mixer. The group has grown to over 400, so if you haven’t been to a mixer in a while, come on down to New Belgium and meet some of the new folks!

We will have some space set aside inside (if it is cold) or on the covered patio behind the main tap room (they have outdoor heaters but dress for the weather). Look for the AVL International Connections’ sign on the table. Grab a beverage and then join us on the deck! A local Food Truck will also be out front if anyone wants a bite to eat!

As a growing group, if you have friends that you would like to bring along, please do! Also encourage them to sign up on Meetup!

– ALL AGES
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

MIKAELA DAVIS

Mikaela Davis is a patient, meticulous songwriter. The Hudson Valley-based artist peels back the gauze of the world’s distractions to reveal the tiny details we might have missed, spotlighting the importance of nourishing friendships, perseverance in the face of adversity and the lessons the natural world can teach us.

A prolific and distinctive harpist, Davis molds her classical music training to create an original and genre-bending catalog that weaves together 60s pop-soaked melodies, psychedelia and driving bluegrass rock. Davis has also shared the stage with the likes of Bob Weir, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive and Circles Around the Sun, showcasing her ability to stretch her creative talents across just about any canvas.

Along with her band Southern Star, the group recently recorded at the Relix studio in New York City, releasing an exclusive Relix Studios vinyl. Featuring songs from her 2018 debut album Delivery, as well as latest single “Don’t Stop Now”, the release boasts the trajectory and intimacy of a band who have been playing together for the better part of a decade.

Davis’ new album, set for release later this year and produced by Davis and the band, is the first time Southern Star will appear on a full-length studio album together. With these new songs set to confirm the Rochester-native’s inimitable skills and spirit, Davis is poised to propel to bigger stages and even brighter spotlights.

MADDIE SHULER

Join us for a weekly mountain music JAM with players in a round, where the session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs! You are welcome to come and listen or to learn and join in. This event supports the Henderson County Junior Appalachian Musician (JAM) Kids Program. Free but donations are accepted. Weekly event takes place at Oklawaha Brewing Company.

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 pm ~ FREE!

AGES 18+ ADULTS ONLY ~ NO KIDS ALLOWED

ON OUR HUGE SCREEN IN THEATER 2!

ENJOY DINNER & DRINKS (FULL BAR) WHILE PLAYING

There are 3 rounds with new winners each round so you can show up late, miss a round and still be a winner. Plus, we have mid-round prizes to create as many winners as possible.

The questions are presented by a hilarious host on our giant movie screen and includes fun videos in each round.  You haven’t played a trivia night like this one!

Beat the mid week grind with some fun trivia! Win a $25 gift card for our taproom along with a $25 gift card from our resident kitchen, Bears Smokehouse BBQ!

Every Wednesday Trivia Night

– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

SAM GRISMAN PROJECT

A Note From Sam– The music that my father David Grisman and his close friend, Jerry Garcia, made in the early 90s (in the house that I grew up in) is not only some of the most timeless acoustic music ever recorded, it also triggers my oldest and fondest musical memories. What I find most inspiring about this material is the way their camaraderie and their love and joy for the music, simply oozes out of each recording. It is also impressive how deeply they get beneath their favorite songs—whether they are originals, covers or traditional/old time tunes—and how expertly that material was curated.

My goal in starting Sam Grisman Project is to build a platform for my friends and me to showcase our genuine passion and appreciation for the legacy of Dawg and Jerry’s music. By playing some of their beloved repertoire and sharing the original music that our own collective has to offer, we will also show the impact that this music has had on our own individual musical voices. Ultimately, there is nothing that makes me happier than playing great songs with my best friends and my hope is to share that happiness with audiences all over!”